Tubular spindle having deformable flattened ends

ABSTRACT

A tube-type spindle for use with ornamental metal railings that is characterized by a unique flattening procedure utilized to make the ends of said tubing readily deformable when associated with the usual parallel top and bottom railings of a metal railing section. This controlled deformability allows the same railing to adjust for slopes required of stair railings. The flattened arrangement includes a first step of crimping on a transverse angle, followed by flattening so as to achieve a laminated structure having a width equal to the width of the tubing.

United States Patent Kusel [54] TUBULAR SPINDLE HAVING DEFORMABLE FLA'I'I'ENED ENDS [72] Inventor: I Edward J. Kusel, Akron, Ohio [73] Assignee: Questor Corporation, Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: May 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 147,538

[52] US. Cl ..256/22, 256/24 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04h 17/16 [58] Field of Search ..256/22, 21, 24, 65-70, 256/59 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,684,802 9/1928 Ochiltree ..52/155 X 3,456,921 7/ 1969 Hinkle ..256/22 378,051 2/1888 Griswold ..256/32 1 Nov. 28, 1972 1,796,175 3/1931 Winston ..256/22 2,715,513 8/1955 Kools... ..256/21 3,244,406 4/1966 Garofola ..256/21 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor AttomeyFreernan & Taylor v [57] ABSTRACT A tube-type spindle for use with ornamental metal railings that is characterized by a unique flattening procedure utilized to make the ends of said tubing readily deformable when associated with the usual parallel top and bottom railings of a metal railing section. This controlled deformability allows the same railing to adjust for slopes required of stair railings. The flattened arrangement includes a first step of crimping on a transverse angle, followed by flattening so as to achieve a laminated structure having a width equal to the width of the tubing.

3 Clains, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnnvza I972 INVENTOR. EDWARD J. KUSEL BY j/ffl flm v ATTORNEYS TUBULAR SPINDLE HAVING DEFORMABLE FLA'ITENED ENDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ornamental metal railings of the general type herein being discussed are old and well known in the art. A representative patent showing such railing sections is E. .l. Kusel et al. US. Pat. No. 3,343,81 1, wherein an adjustable pitch railing is shown.

Adjustable pitch railings of the type described in the aforementioned patent are desirable because of the fact that they facilitate do it yourself installations by the homeowner, with a minimum number of tools being required for such installations, and with the pitch of the railing being adjustable so as to accommodate the railing to varying degrees of slopes.

In the majority of instances known in the prior art, the spindle portions to the railing sections are comprised of flat strips of metal that have been twisted into a spiral configuration for aesthetic purposes. In these instances, a natural tab is provided at each end for the purpose of connecting the spindle with the top and bottom railings, respectively, and this tab which extends transversely is readily deformable for varying the pitch during installation.

Because of the relatively low cost, it has long been desired to use square tubing for spindle purposes and while square tubing can be used for spindle purposes, difficulty is encountered in two respects:

1. the thin wall portions of the same preclude welding or otherwise attaching the units without considerable destruction of the same thus destroying the aesthetic appearance; and

2. if the tubing is attached without modification, the ability to deform the same for installation purposes is lost and any attempt at deformation results in an unsightly buckling effect that is unsatisfactory.

Initial attempts at flattening the ends by pressure have resulted in an overall widening of the unit beyond the width of the tubing section per se, with the result that this attempt at solving the problem failed from a customer relations and aesthetic point of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that if the tubing is first crimped on opposed sides so as to formV-shaped walls which taper toward a point of convergence of the opposed sides and if this crimping is followed then by flattening or pressing together of the V-shaped portions, that a perfect tab corresponding in width to the width of the tubing will result.

It will be further noted that a pocket or weakening hole will be in effect built in to facilitate the creation of a hinge point aroundwhich a tubing can be deformed readily for pitching purposes. This built-in feature aids automatic assembly with resultant production efficiencies.

Production of an improved tubular spindle having a above characteristics accordingly becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification, considered and interpreted in view of the accompanying drawings.

OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the improved railing section installed in position.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are similar perspective views show ing:

a. the condition of the tube end initially; b. the condition of the tube end following crimping;

and c. the condition of the tube end when the final flattening operation has been conducted. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing the spindle in its pitched condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIIVIENT Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, the railing section, generally designated by the numeral 10, includes spaced newel posts 11 and 12 to which are secured upper and lower railing sections 13 and 14, with adapter units 15,15 serving to permit angular variation between the railing sections and the newel posts for pitch adjustment purposes and with adapters of the type set forth in Kusel et al. US. Pat. No. 3,343,81 1 being utilizable for this purpose.

A plurality of spindles 20,20 interconnect the top and bottom railings in a manner to be described so as to always remain parallel with the newel posts 11 and 12, regardless of the pitch achieved. It should also be noted that while newel posts 11 and 12 are illustrated that one or both could be replaced by any supporting surface such as a wall. I

With reference to the spindles 20,20, the same are shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and being of laminated durable construction with a generally square cross-sectional profile being shown in the embodiment illustrated.

In the drawings the end portion is indicated generally by the numeral 21, and this portion includes, as illustrated, a top surface 22, bottom surface 23, and opposed side surfaces 24 and 25.

In assembly, the end 21 is next placed in a crimping tool that effectuates deformation of all four surfaces just described, with the surfaces 24 and 25 being crimped into the V-shaped configuration so as to define bottom apex lines 24a (not shown) and 254. In this regard, the apex 24a and the apex 25a converge towards each other at the extreme outboard portion of end 21, with the apex lines of the V-shaped grooves being closest together at the end and then tapering apart to a point of junction with the uncrimped sidewall as best shown in FIG. 3. 1

Also, as noted, the opposed edges 22a, 22b, and 23a and 24a, will be rounded towards each other as a result of this crimping action. Following crimping, as just described, force is applied to the opposed surfaces 22 and 23 to force the same to the position of FIG. 4, where the V-shaped sidewall portions are laminated between the upper surfaces of 23 and 24, respectively.

Because of the tapering apex, it has been found that opposed dimples 26 (not shown) and 27 will be provided, with these dimples defining a hinge line 27a about which the deformed tab now indicated by the numeral 21a in FIG. 4 may bend for pitch adjusting purposes.

Once the spindle sections have been produced in the manner just described, it is believed apparent that the same may be inserted within appropriate notches provided in the facing surfaces of the top and bottom railings and then simply tack welded in place by virtue of the almost solid nature of the compacted wall sections. Once this has been done, the railing is, of course, ready for finishing and upon field installation, the tabs will be anchored and the tubing will be bent around the hinge line to the desired pitch for installation purposes. This action is shown in FIG. S.

It should be noted that no particular material has been specified and the invention is not intended to be so limited. Similarly, while the spindle has been shown having a square cross-section, this too could be altered without departing from the inventive principle disclosed herein.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to this specific form envisioned. Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A railing spindle, comprising;

A. an elongate, hollow body portion of generally rectangular cross section and having opposed longitudinal ends;

B. at least one end of said body being deformed to define a substantially flat integral laminated tab connected to said body by a hinge line with said tab being deformable about said hinge line for pitch adjustment purposes; and

C. said deformable tab having the width equal to the width of said body.

2. The railing spindle of claim I further characterized by the fact that said deformable tab is formed by first creasing opposed sides inwardly at a transverse angle and towards a point of convergence adjacent the outer most portion of said longitudinal end; then collapsing said remaining sides toward each other under pressure whereby said creased portions are sandwiched between said remaining sides to form said deformable tab and a hinge line interconnecting said tab to said body.

3. In combination, a railing section of the character described, comprising;

A. a pair of upright support surfaces;

B. top and bottom railing sections having rectangular slots provided in the face thereof, with said slots facing each other in aligned relationship;

C. adjustable connecting means securing said top and bottom railings with respect to said support surfaces for angularly adjustable relationship therewith; and

D. a plurality of spindles having a generally rectangular cross section, each being'hollow in nature and having a substantially flat deformed tab of laminated construction provided at the opposed ends thereof and connected to said spindles by a hinge line, with said tabs being insertable in said openings whereby a deformable railing section is provided. 

1. A railing spindle, comprising; A. an elongate, hollow body portion of generally rectangular cross section and having opposed longitudinal ends; B. at least one end of said body being deformed to define a substantially flat integral laminated tab connected to said body by a hinge line with said tab being deformable about said hinge line for pitch adjustment purposes; and C. said deformable tab having the width equal to the width of said body.
 2. The railing spindle of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said deformable tab is formed by first creasing opposed sides inwardly at a transverse angle and towards a point of convergence adjacent the outer most portion of said longitudinal end; then collapsing said remaining sides toward each other under pressure whereby said creased portions are sandwiched between said remaining sides to form said deformable tab and a hinge line interconnecting said tab to said body.
 3. In combination, a railing section of the character described, comprising; A. a pair of upright support surfaces; B. top and bottom railing sections having rectangular slots provided in the face thereof, with said slots facing each other in aligned relationship; C. adjustable connecting means securing said top and bottom railings with respect to said support surfaces for angularly adjustable relationship therewith; and D. a plurality of spindles having a generally rectangular cross section, each being hollow in nature and having a substantially flat deformed tab of laminated construction provided at the opposed ends thereof and connected to said spindles by a hinge line, with said tabs being insertable in said openings whereby a deformable railing section is provided. 